Monthly Archives: June 2019

04 Jun 2019

PEN International has released its 2018 Case List, which details the global threats to freedom of expression documented over the last calendar year, including attacks, harassment, imprisonment and murders of writers and journalists. In his introduction to the 2018 Case...

03 Jun 2019

Deadline: 30 June 2019 The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) is accepting applications for its Fifth Writing Semester, which will run from 3 February to 31 May 2020. Fellowships are open to any field of expertise. Previous fellows have...

03 Jun 2019

Below you’ll find a list of literary events featuring PEN South Africa members, as well as a selection of other noteworthy launches, classes, performances, exhibitions, readings and workshops happening around South Africa. If there is an event you’d like us...

03 Jun 2019

PEN SA is saddened by the loss of Kenyan writer and activist Binyavanga Wainaina, who died on 21 May 2019 at the age of 48 following a stroke. Simultaneously, we are emboldened by the legacy he has left as a...

03 Jun 2019

Deadline: 7 July 2019 The Goethe-Institut/ Bureau de liaison Ouagadougou is setting up a writer’s residency for young African writers (less than 40 years) in 2019/20 in Burkina Faso. This residency program aims to give a platform for free expression:...

About Us

PEN South Africa, founded in 1927, is one of more than 140 Centres of PEN International, which currently operate in over 100 countries. A worldwide, politically non-aligned organisation of writers, PEN International is dedicated to promoting freedom of expression, and encouraging the growth and strengthening of literature. Its foundational text is the PEN Charter, which all Centres and members of PEN must uphold.